Oregon Grabs MPSF Victory at Saint Mary's

MORAGA, Calif. – The University of Oregon lacrosse team showcased impressive depth and stayed perfect in conference play with a 16-10 win at Saint Mary's on Sunday. Sunday's victory is UO's second straight and improves the Ducks to 6-6 overall and an unblemished 3-0 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

Eleven players scored at least one goal and three Ducks recorded at least three points, led by Alex Breiner's four points (two goals, two assists). Eve Tranchito tallied her first three career points with a hat trick and fellow freshman Shannon Propst chipped in three more on two goals and an assist in the win.

"We're glad to come out of the weekend with two conference victories," head coach Jen Larsen said. "We had a good balanced offensive effort all around today."

SMC drew first blood less than 90 seconds into the contest when Sarah Howard converted on a free position shot. Only 24 seconds later, Bina Barrett fed Jess Drummond for the tying tally to start a run of three-straight goals for the Ducks. Nikki Puszcz fired home a free position shot 2:03 in to put Oregon in front for the first time. At the 7:23 mark, Propst converted off a Breiner pass to make it a 3-1 contest.

Mariah Walk brought the Gaels within one with 11:38 expired in the first half, though Jana Drummond countered with a goal of her own 1:09 later to increase the Ducks' lead back to two goals. A Saint Mary's free position goal made it 4-3, but Tranchito tallied her first career goal two minutes later to make it 5-3.

With time expiring in the first half, Kate Cathell found Hayley Milner for her sixth goal of the year to make it 6-3 in favor of the Ducks at halftime.

Both teams scored three goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half with Breiner scoring at the 6:04 mark, Tranchito converting a free position attempt eight minutes in and Shelby Barrett scoring her first career goal with less than 21 minutes to go.

The Ducks turned up the pressure as the second half wore on, scoring seven of the next nine goals to open up their largest lead of the day at 16-8. Tranchito and Propst scored 10 seconds apart to start the flurry and with the score 12-8, Breiner, Bina Barrett, Lara Bennett and Jessie Esteban capped UO's scoring and put the game away.

Oregon outshot Saint Mary's 39-25 for the game and 25-15 in the second half. The Ducks also collected 17 draw controls and 14 groundballs while holding the Gaels to 11 draw controls and 10 ground balls. UO also forced 17 turnovers while only turning it over eight times.

Salliebeth Finnegan started in goal and improved to 4-2 by stopping three of six first half shots. Caroline Federighi clocked the final 30 minutes in goal and made four saves.

The Ducks resume MPSF play at home next Friday when they host No. 7 Stanford at Pape' Field. That game begins at 3:00 p.m.